01336893

Component

It is well documented that construction productivity has been declining for the last fifty years. It is also reported that only 40% of the workers time is considered to be value added work. Interest in the use of Lean techniques for the delivery of large complex capital projects is quickly growing throughout the country. Lean techniques in manufacturing and vertical construction have shown that a project can be delivered in less time, at lower costs, and with improved quality. However, Lean techniques are currently not being used by State Transportation Agencies (STAs). Lean Project Delivery (LPD) can be a way for future projects to achieve higher quality, faster completion, and more efficient delivery. To attain this goal, the transportation industry, as a whole, needs to work closely together using non-traditional approaches to achieve the necessary improvement. This study looks at the benefits of Lean techniques in the delivery of transportation projects, along with potential impediments to adoption. A case study is also provided documenting the successful use of Lean techniques in the infrastructure industry. The transportation industry provides a unique challenge in implementing Lean techniques due to public sector constraints. Special care is needed in identifying any obstacles to implementation when going forth with Lean. Once promising techniques and barriers are properly identified, a successful management plan can be created to help STA’s begin their Lean journey.

01329018

11-1405

English

17p

2011

Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (3) ; References (23) ; Tables (2)

Benefit cost analysis; Construction projects; Infrastructure; Project delivery; Project management; State departments of transportation; Transportation

Lean construction

Administration and Management; Construction; I50: Construction and Supervision of Construction

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2011 Paper #11-1405

TRIS, TRB

Feb 17 2011 5:47PM